Alison Powell: Penarth, the sea and me - Not all Trolls are good luck

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When I was at school Trolls were little plastic toys with a shock of brightly-coloured hair that urban myth and marketing strategies suggested that if we rub, it brings us luck. Hence the proliferation of them on desks during GCSEs.

But, at least the little fellas were imbued with hope and trust and belief.

Today, Trolls are more likely to be people who peer at their phone or computer and say mean things to people that they may not know.

I often wonder when people do this if they would take the time to write these same words on a piece of paper, buy a stamp and post it or if it is simply the immediacy and apparent undercover nature of the internet that sets the fingers twitching and indulges any mean streaks in the mind, a sort of electronic devil on the shoulder saying, “go on, have a go”.

It is well-documented that women and black and minority ethnic writers tend to receive the most trolling.

Indeed, the Guardian analysed 70 million comments on their website and evidenced this. There have been some horrific instances of threats, insult and abuse.

I had a snarky comment on a piece I wrote recently and whist I am pleased and yes, relieved that it wasn’t in that league, it goes to the heart of something that often strikes me, that wonder that someone can just be unpleasant for no apparent reason. Wherever you site your moral compass, be it rooted in a faith or religion; the reflection back to you of your behaviour by friends or family; work dictated codes of conduct or from another source, I don’t think I have come across many doctrines that wander far from the old adage, "If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all."

We all have off days, when we’re grouchy, where a stunning sun rise can make us go, meh or grrrr.

On such days, I retreat from others. I don’t seek them out to be spiteful.

I was recently at Stanwell School watching a film that some Vale Primary Schools had made. It was about our planet and was a celebration of collaboration, creativity, education and about the many and varied natural phenomenon’s and wonders of Earth. It got me thinking about both the overwhelming positivity and gut-thumping negativity that coexist on our planet.

I have no desire to shut down controversy, difference in opinion, free speech or commentary, but I do appeal for us all to check ourselves and whether what we’re saying furthers a debate, adds value, illuminates the world that the children in the film presented with such eloquence, open-heartedness and talent.

Whenever I write, like anyone producing something to be sent out in to the word, it is a metaphorical head above the parapet moment and meanness just makes me want to go over the top and continue.

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